Considering the torrid pace of training camp and preseason, Coach Paul Westphal decided it was time to give some of his players a much-deserved rest on Monday.
Tyreke Evans, Beno Udrih, Samuel Dalembert, DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside, Jason Thompson and Carl Landry were given time off from scrimmaging by the Kings coach.
Although the seven players didn’t participate in the day’s full-contact practice, they joined their teammates to review film.
It should be noted Evans, Cousins and Thompson are all expected to play in Tuesday’s rematch against Golden State. Landry is listed as probable with an eye injury he suffered during Saturday’s practice. Udrih (sprained right shoulder), Dalembert (strained left adductor) and Whiteside (strained left patellar tendon), meanwhile, remain out for Tuesday’s game.
For the players who did participate in the scrimmage, Monday presented another opportunity to make an impression on the Kings coaching staff.
Training camp invitees Joe Crawford, Luther Head, Connor Atchley and Marcus Landry all competed alongside other Kings players in order to secure playing time, roster spots and starting positions.
Although Crawford has played less than six minutes total during the preseason, he left practice with an admirer.
“The best player in practice today was Joe Crawford,” Westphal said.
Another important evaluation still yet to be decided is who will be the starting small forward. During practice, Antoine Wright, Marcus Landry, Omri Casspi and Donté Greene all worked hard to exhibit their talents. Playing on opposing teams, Casspi was matched against Wright while Greene was pitted against Marcus Landry.
So far, Westphal has made clear the focus of the starting small forward will be defense and the ability to hit open shots.
“We like to play an inside-out attack,” the Kings coach said.
Though the Kings struggled at times against the Warriors, the team’s shooting from beyond the arc was vastly improved from last Thursday’s game against the Clippers where they were unable to convert from long distance.
In Sunday night’s game, Sacramento shot 10-for-23 from the three-point line—even Cousins joined the action as he made his only attempt. Besides the rookie, small forwards Wright and Casspi combined to shoot 50 percent from beyond the arc.
The Warriors game also offered fans the first real glimpse of Wright’s playing abilities.
“I thought he did a solid job defensively,” Westphal said. “I think similar to all the new players, there’s so much hesitance and unfamiliarity it’s hard to look good.”
For Casspi, training camp has required a different type of adjustment. Returning from playing with Israel, the second-year forward has had to get used to shooting three-pointers from a greater distance.
“I’m just trying to get to my spots and do what coach wants,” Casspi explained. “My shots aren’t falling yet, and I’m trying to adjust to the three-point line again since coming from overseas.”
Following Sunday’s game, Westphal had only praise for the talented small forward.
“I think Omri is trying very hard to fit the job description,” said Westphal, as he addressed his expectations for the starting small forward position.
Although, according to Westphal, the Kings are “a long ways” from putting a finished product on the floor, the team continues to progress as it prepares for the regular season.
